Welcome to another year of the DFS Army NBA Full Court Press! Members had a ton of success using the Full Court Press along with various articles and tools that DFS Army provides, that said, we are glad to be back with another year of the all-inclusive article. You have to start your research somewhere, and oftentimes going game by game and breaking down every matchup and its key players is the first step in our process. My name is Steve aka @mutt_18 on Twitter, make sure to give me a follow as I’ll occasionally make updates to the advice in the article. But, you’ll mostly find me in our VIP coaching forums where I provide detailed lineup maneuvers and answer all lineup questions. With that said, let’s get it started!
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Full Court Press:
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Indiana Pacers
Vegas Total: 212.5
Vegas Spread: IND -3.0
Starting with the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG) has been doing it all for the Thunder, he has a 25.2% usage rating so far on the year and Indiana has been mediocre against defending opposing guards so far this year. Dennis Schroder (SG) also has a 25.2% usage rate and has been dominating usage with the second unit so far this year. This should be one of the slower paced games on the slate, so I’m not too high on anyone else from the Thunder here, unless Steven Adams is out, then Nerlens Noel (PF) will be squarely in play as he’ll draw another start.
From the Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon (PG) has gotten off to a hot start and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down at all. He has a 26.9% usage rate and while CP3 is usually a solid defender, he’s looked really disinterested on the defensive end so far. I love Domantas Sabonis (PF) if Myles Turner is out again tonight, as Sabonis will get a slight usage bump with him off the court, and if Adams is out again he makes for a great play as he won’t have to deal with him on the offensive end. I’ll also have some interest in T.J. Warren (SF) if Jeremy Lamb is out again, as Warren sees a 23.2% usage rate with Lamb off the floor as well. As I’ve stated above, this is going to be one of the lower totals on the slate, so there isn’t much to like here.
5-star plays: Malcolm Brogdon (PG) (if Lamb out) Domantas Sabonis (PF) (if Turner out)
4-star plays: Dennis Schroder, (SG) T.J. Warren (SF)
Deeper Value: JaKarr Sampson (SF) (if Turner out)
GPP Sleeper: Aaron Holiday (PG) (if Lamb is out)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers
Vegas Total: TBD
Vegas Spread: PHI -11.0
The Cavs have been a little better than expected so far this year, and there are a few guys that we can roster tonight. The main one is going to be Tristan Thompson (C) as he has been playing a ton of minutes, and the 76ers are allowing a ton of FPs to opposing centers on the year. Embiid is not great on defense and I think TT can really take advantage of him on the boards in this one. Kevin Love (PF) has been decent so far this year, but he really hasn’t shown that ceiling we’ve been looking for, and he’s a bit overpriced everywhere, so I’ll likely be fading there. Darius Garland (PG) is also a deep GPP shot, as he has the second best matchup on the Cavs as the Sixers are struggling a bit against PGs since Simmons has gone down. You can go to Collin Sexton (PG) here as well as a GPP dart, but he really needs his shot to be falling in order for him to score FPs as he is very scoring dependent.
There is some more interest here for me, as the Sixers have a really nice matchup here and I think the Cavs can keep this game somewhat competitive. Joel Embiid (C) has the highest usage rate of 35.4% with Simmons off the floor, and he’s likely going to be out again tonight. Embiid is one of the better Center plays on the slate here. Tobias Harris (SF) sees a 1.9% usage bump as well. Both those guys will see a nice usage boost with Horford resting tonight. Both those guys are in play tonight, but their usage doesn’t come close to Embiids. Raul Neto (PG) will also be in play here as a value play if Simmons sits again, as he’ll likely continue to start. A nice deep GPP play you can go to is Trey Burke (PG) here as well, as he’s much more athletic than Neto and saw some nice run off the bench last game, he runs the second unit and has been playing pretty well since Simmons went down as well.
5-star play: Joel Embiid (C)
4-star play: Tristan Thompson (C), Kevin Love (PF), Al Horford (PF), Tobias Harris (SF)
Deeper Value: Raul Neto (PG), Darius Garland (PG)
GPP Sleeper: Trey Burke (PG)
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Detroit Pistons @ Miami Heat
Vegas Total: TBD
Vegas Spread: EVEN
The Pistons seem to be on a B2B almost every time they play, and here they are on the 2nd half of another B2B. The news we’ll have to monitor here is whether or not the Pistons are going to play Blake Griffin (PF) on the 2nd half of a B2B and if he is out then that puts Andre Drummond (C) firmly in play as the Heat don’t really have anyone to match up with him downlow as he should abuse Meyers Leonard all game long. Derrick Rose reaggravated his hamstring last night again, and if he’s out again that puts Luke Kennard (SF) firmly in play here as well as he should see a ton of usage with the 2nd unit. A deep GPP part that I’ll have a few shares of is Christian Wood (PF) if Blake Griffin sits out this game.
On the Heat side of the ball Jimmy Butler (SG) is firmly in play here, as he should see a ton of usage here as he has a 26.1% usage rate and would only get a boost if Justise Winslow is out again tonight. Kendrick Nunn (PG) is also firmly in play tonight, as he has a 25.9% usage rate which barely trails Jimmy Butler and he’s a bit too cheap here. Sticking with the guard theme here, another guy I like here is Goran Dragic (PG) as the Pistons have struggled at defending guards so far this year, and he has a 23.8% usage rate and will dominate usage with the 2nd unit. He pops off for some big games from time to time and if his shot is falling he’s a nice GPP play. Bam Adebayo (PF) actually plays the 5 for the Heat, and the Pistons have been allowing a ton of FPs to opposing Centers so far this year and his price isn’t ridiculously high. Tyler Herro (SG) is also in play here, as word just came out that Winslow is indeed out again.
5-star play: Andre Drummond (if Blake is out), Jimmy Butler (SG)
4-star play: Bam Adebayo (PF), Luke Kennard (SF), Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Deeper Value: Goran Dragic (PG), Tyler Herro (SG)
GPP Sleeper: Goran Dragic (PG), Christian Wood (PF), Tyler Herro (SG)
New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls
Vegas Total: 213.0
Vegas Spread: CHI -5.5
The Knicks are a dumpster fire (shocker) and they Bulls themselves can’t hold onto a lead to save their lives. On the Knicks side of the ball, RJ Barrett (SG) has the safest floor minutes wise of any of the Knicks and has a solid usage rate of 23.2%. He is a rookie though so he will have games where he struggles so keep that in mind. Mitchell Robinson remains out, so Julius Randle (PF) gets a nice boost here as he has a 25.6% usage rate with Robinson off the floor. This also means that Bobby Portis (C) will also start and get some solid run. Portis also has a solid usage rate of 20.1% with Robinson off the floor, and he is still moderately priced. With Robinson out, Marcus Morris (SF) also has a 22.9% usage rate with Robinson off the floor, but he can be very up and down.
For the Bulls, Zach LaVine (SG) leads the Bulls in usage at 28.4% and if his shot is falling in this game then he has 50+ FP potential here. Lauri Markkanen (PF) has a 22.3% usage rate so far on the year, and he gets a nice matchup here as the Knicks have been struggling against PFs over the last week and he isn’t too highly priced. Coby White (PG) is always in play in GPPs, as he has a 25.3% usage rate with the second unit, and if his shot is falling he will absolutely crush value, he’s just a little inconsistent so far to say the least. That’s about all I like from this game.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Zach LaVine (SG), Julius Randle (PF), Lauri Markkanen (PF), RJ Barrett (SG)
Deeper Value: Coby White (PG), Bobby Portis (C)
GPP Sleeper: Coby White (PG)
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Brooklyn Nets @ Utah Jazz
Vegas Total: 217
Vegas Spread: UTA -6.5
This is a really tough matchup for the Nets, as the Jazz are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Kyrie Irving (PG) is almost matchup proof, but Mike Conley is a really good defender, so he’s going to need to score a ton in order for him to make value. Caris LeVert (SG) is also in play in GPPs here, as he’ll be very low owned. However, outside of those two I really don’t have much interest in the Nets.
I do have some nice interest in some guys on the Jazz though, specifically Rudy Gobert (C) as he gets the premier matchup against the struggling Nets frontcourt, who is allowing over 63 fantasy points per game to opposing centers over the last week. However, the matchup that will go overlooked here is Mike Conley (PG) as the Nets play zero defense against opposing PGs as shown by them allowing almost 70 FPPG to opposing PGs over the past week. The total thing isn’t great here either, but those are the two guys I’ll have interest in for the Jazz.
5-star play: Rudy Gobert (C), Mike Conley (PG)
4-star play: Kyrie Irving (PG), Caris LeVert (SG)
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: None
Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: TBD
Vegas Spread: DEN -12.0
I think the spread is a little too high here, as the Hawks have been keeping these games competitive and they’re never out of it as long as they have Trae Young (PG) and his insane 36.1% usage rate, and he’s also averaging 1.5 FPPM with Collins’ suspension. However, the matchup is difficult as the Nuggets are defending PGs really well so far this year. I have some interest in Jabari Parker (PF) as well here, as Denver has been struggling a bit against bigs, and if Young struggles, the Hawks will need lean more on Parker to score. I’ll also have some decent interest in DeAndre’ Bembry (SG) as he runs the point for the second unit, and his price is still pretty cheap.
On the Nuggets side of the ball, they haven’t been terrible at defending the PG position, but this is a solid matchup for Jamal Murray (PG) as he has a nice usage rate of 26.2% which barely trails Jokic, but he is due for some positive regression in the near future, and this could be the matchup for him to do it. Nikola Jokic (C) is also firmly in play here, as he leads the team in usage at 26.5% and Alex Len can’t really matchup with him here either. The Nuggets are looking for him to be more aggressive on offense and he’s starting to be over the last few games. Will Barton (SF) has also been playing really well for the Nuggets as of late, and he has a usage rate of 20.5% which ranks 3rd on the team for the starters. For a deep GPP option, if you think this game gets out of hand, Michael Porter Jr. (SF) has a 21.9% usage rate off the bench, and could get some nice run during garbage time if the Nuggets blow out the Hawks here.
5-star play: Jabari Parker (PF), Jamal Murray (PG), Nikola Jokic (C)
4-star play: Trae Young (PG), Will Barton (SF)
Deeper Value: DeAndre’ Bembry (SG), Michael Porter Jr. (SF)
GPP Sleeper: DeAndre’ Bembry (SG), Michael Porter Jr. (SF)
Los Angeles Lakes @ Phoenix Suns
Vegas Total: TBD
Vegas Spread: LAL -4.5
The big news here to look out for as Anthony Davis (PF) is probable tonight, but with his history and with what happened to us with Ingram last night I’m going to err on the side of caution here. If Davis is indeed out, LeBron James (SF) will become the premiere pay up play on this slate, as he has an insane usage rate of 38.4% with Davis off the floor. Kyle Kuzma (PF) would also be in play as he has the second highest usage rate with Davis off the floor at 33.9%. Avery Bradley (SG) would also be firmly in play if Davis is out, as he actually sees the highest usage rate boost of +10.8%. However, if Davis does play then it’s a knock down to all of those guys, and it’ll be tough to predict who between him and LBJ will go off here, although LeBron does have the better matchup.
On the Suns side of the ball, there isn’t a ton to love here, as the Lakers play at a pretty slow pace and are one of the better defensive teams in the league. However, they are struggling against opposing SGs, which puts our boy Devin Booker (SG) firmly in play. Booker also kills the Lakers, as he averages over 66 FPs against them in his career, love him as an underrated play here tonight. The Lakers are also struggling a bit against PGs over the past week, and Rubio just went off the other night, however, I wouldn’t play both Rubio and Booker in the same lineup. I like Booker here as the preferred play though, as the Lakers are really tough at defending every other position.
5-star play: LeBron James (SF), Anthony Davis (PF), Devin Booker (SG)
4-star play: Ricky Rubio (PG)
Deeper Value: Avery Bradley (SG)
GPP Sleeper: Avery Bradley (SG)
Portland Trailblazers @ Sacramento Kings
Vegas Total: TBD
Vegas Spread: SAC -2.0
I’m hopping on this game now, as the Kings are still favorites here and they’ll be without both of their young studs in De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III. For the Trailblazers in this game, Damian Lillard (PG) is a premiere play on this slate, especially in the hammer game here as the Kings were bleeding points to opposing PGs before Fox went down. Lillard has an elite usage rate of 30% on the year, and while the matchup is tougher, C.J. McCollum (SG) is firmly in play here as well as he is second on the team in usage at 26%. I’ll have some shares of Hassan Whiteside (C) as well if he plays, as he has a nice ceiling, but low floor as well. If Whiteside is out, then I’ll loveeeeeee Skal Labissiere (PF) as a value play as the Kings are bleeding FPs to opposing PFs on the year. Kent Bazemore (SF) will also be a great value play here if Rodney Hood is out again.
On the Kings side of the ball, there will be some nice value opening up, especially at PG with Fox’s injury. Cory Joseph (PG) will likely slide into the starting lineup and he’ll become a very chalky, but good, value play. The biggest usage boost here actually goes to Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG) as he is underpriced and with both Bagley and Fox off the floor he sports an elite usage rate of 29.7% and his minutes will be blowout proof as well. Buddy Hield (SG) will also see a boost in usage here, as he’ll be their main source of scoring on offense with Fox out, and he’s also firmly in play here in GPPs.
5-star play: Damian Lillard (PG)
4-star play: C.J. McCollum (SG), Hassan Whiteside (C), Cory Joseph (PG), Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG), Buddy Hield (SG)
Deeper Value: Skal Labissiere (PF), Mario Hezonja (SF) (if he starts), Kent Bazemore (SF), Cory Joseph (PG)
GPP Sleeper: Skal Labissiere (PF), Kent Bazemore (SF), Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG)
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